Lettuce Variety Dracos

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides novel lettuce cultivar Dracos and plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom. The invention also provides methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the lettuce plants of the invention with themselves or another lettuce plant. The invention also provides lettuce plants produced from such a crossing as well as plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of lettuce plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) varietydesignated Dracos.

Practically speaking, all cultivated forms of lettuce belong to thehighly polymorphic species Lactuca sativa that is grown for its ediblehead and leaves. Lactuca sativa is in the Cichoreae tribe of theAsteraceae (Compositae) family. Lettuce is related to chicory,sunflower, aster, dandelion, artichoke, and chrysanthemum. Sativa is oneof about 300 species in the genus Lactuca. There are seven differentmorphological types of lettuce. The crisphead group includes the icebergand batavian types. Iceberg lettuce has a large, firm head with a crisptexture and a white or creamy yellow interior. The batavian lettucepredates the iceberg type and has a smaller and less firm head. Thebutterhead group has a small, soft head with an almost oily texture. Theromaine, also known as cos lettuce, has elongated upright leaves forminga loose, loaf-shaped head and the outer leaves are usually dark green.Leaf lettuce comes in many varieties, none of which form a head, andinclude the green oak leaf variety. Latin lettuce looks like a crossbetween romaine and butterhead. Stem lettuce has long, narrow leaves andthick, edible stems. Oilseed lettuce is a type grown for its large seedsthat are pressed to obtain oil. Latin lettuce, stem lettuce, and oilseedlettuce are seldom seen in the United States.

Presently, there are over one thousand known lettuce cultivars. As acrop, lettuce is grown commercially wherever environmental conditionspermit the production of an economically viable yield.

Lettuce, in general, and leaf lettuce in particular, is an important andvaluable vegetable crop. Thus, there is an ongoing need for improvedlettuce varieties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel lettuce cultivardesignated Dracos, also known as LS17804, having desirablecharacteristics including wide bottom shape, good upright heart shape,large holding ability in the field in good conditions, cores that stayshort for longer time and leaves that thin with low level of blistering.The invention also encompasses the seeds of lettuce cultivar Dracos, theplants of lettuce cultivar Dracos, plant parts of the lettuce cultivarDracos (including leaves, seed, gametes), methods of producing seed fromlettuce cultivar Dracos, and method for producing a lettuce plant bycrossing the lettuce cultivar Dracos with itself or another lettuceplant, methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its geneticmaterial one or more transgenes, and the transgenic lettuce plantsproduced by that method. The invention also relates to methods forproducing other lettuce plants derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos andto lettuce plants, parts thereof and seed derived by the use of thosemethods. The present invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seedsand plants (and parts thereof including leaves) produced by crossinglettuce cultivar Dracos with another lettuce plant.

In another aspect, the present invention provides regenerable cells foruse in tissue culture of lettuce cultivar Dracos. In embodiments, thetissue culture is capable of regenerating plants having all oressentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristicsof the foregoing lettuce plant and/or of regenerating plants having thesame or substantially the same genotype as the foregoing lettuce plant.In exemplary embodiments, the regenerable cells in such tissue culturesare meristematic cells, cotyledons, hypocotyl, leaves, pollen, embryos,roots, root tips, anthers, pistils, ovules, shoots, stems, petiole,pith, flowers, capsules and/or seeds as well as callus and/orprotoplasts derived from any of the foregoing. Still further, thepresent invention provides lettuce plants regenerated from the tissuecultures of the invention.

As a further aspect, the invention provides a method of producinglettuce seed, the method comprising crossing a plant of lettuce cultivarDracos with itself or a second lettuce plant. Optionally, the methodfurther comprises collecting the seed.

Another aspect of the invention provides methods for producing hybridsand other lettuce plants derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos. Lettuceplants derived by the use of those methods are also part of theinvention as well as plant parts, seed, gametes and tissue culture fromsuch hybrid or derived lettuce plants.

In representative embodiments, a lettuce plant derived from lettucecultivar Dracos comprises cells comprising at least one set ofchromosomes derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos. In embodiments, alettuce plant or population of lettuce plants derived from lettucecultivar Dracos comprises, on average, at least 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%,98% or 99% of its alleles (i.e., theoretical allelic content; TAC) fromlettuce cultivar Dracos, e.g., at least about 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%,98% or 99% of the genetic complement of lettuce cultivar Dracos, andoptionally is the result of a breeding process comprising one or twobreeding crosses and one or more of selfing, sibbing, backcrossingand/or double haploid techniques in any combination and any order. Inembodiments, the breeding process does not include a breeding cross, andcomprises selfing, sibbing, backcrossing and or double haploidtechnology. In embodiments, the lettuce plant derived from lettucecultivar Dracos is one, two, three, four, five or more breeding crossesremoved from lettuce cultivar Dracos.

In embodiments, a hybrid or derived plant from lettuce cultivar Dracoscomprises a desired added trait(s). In representative embodiments, alettuce plant derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos comprises at least 6of the morphological and physiological characteristics of lettucecultivar Dracos (e.g., as described in Tables 1 to 18, for example, widebottom shape, good upright heart shape, large hold ability in the fieldin good conditions, cores that stay short for longer time and/or leavesthat thin with low level of blistering). In embodiments, the lettuceplant derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos comprises essentially all ofthe morphological and physiological characteristics of lettuce cultivarDracos (e.g., as described in Tables 1 to 18, for example, wide bottomshape, good upright heart shape, large hold ability in the field in goodconditions, cores that stay short for longer time and/or leaves thatthin with low level of blistering).

The invention also relates to methods for producing a lettuce plantcomprising in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to thetransgenic lettuce plant produced by those methods (and progeny lettuceplants comprising the transgene). Also provided are plant parts, seedand tissue culture from such transgenic lettuce plants, optionallywherein one or more cells in the plant part, seed, or tissue culturecomprises the transgene. The transgene can be introduced via planttransformation and/or breeding techniques.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for single locusconverted plants of lettuce cultivar Dracos. Plant parts, seed, andtissue culture from such single locus converted plants are alsocontemplated by the present invention. The single locus may be adominant or recessive allele. In representative embodiments, the singletransferred locus confers such traits as male sterility, herbicideresistance, pest resistance (e.g., insect and/or nematode resistance),modified fatty acid metabolism, modified carbohydrate metabolism,disease resistance (e.g., for bacterial, fungal and/or viral disease),male fertility, enhanced nutritional quality, improved appearance (e.g.,color), improved salt tolerance, industrial usage, or any combinationthereof. The single locus may be a naturally occurring lettuce locus, agenome edited locus, a mutated locus (e.g., chemically or radiationinduced), or a transgene introduced into lettuce through geneticengineering techniques.

The invention further provides methods for developing lettuce plants ina lettuce plant breeding program using plant breeding techniquesincluding, for example, recurrent selection, backcrossing, pedigreebreeding, double haploid techniques, restriction fragment lengthpolymorphism enhanced selection, genetic marker enhanced selectionand/or transformation. Seeds, lettuce plants, and parts thereof,produced by such breeding methods are also part of the invention.

The invention also provides methods of multiplication or propagation oflettuce plants of the invention, which can be accomplished using anymethod known in the art, for example, via vegetative propagation and/orseed.

The invention further provides a method of producing food or feedcomprising (a) obtaining a lettuce plant of the invention, optionallywherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b) collecting atleast one lettuce plant or part thereof (e.g., leaves) from the plant.

Additional aspects of the invention include harvested products andprocessed products from the lettuce plants of the invention. A harvestedproduct can be a whole plant or any plant part, as described herein.Thus, in some embodiments, a non-limiting example of a harvested productincludes a seed, a leaf and/or a stem.

In representative embodiments, a processed product includes, but is notlimited to: cut, sliced, ground, pureed, dried, canned, jarred, washed,packaged, frozen and/or heated leaves and/or seeds of the lettuce plantsof the invention, or any other part thereof. In embodiments, theprocessed product includes washed and packaged leaves (or parts thereof)of the invention.

The seed of the invention can optionally be provided as an essentiallyhomogenous population of seed of a single plant or cultivar. Essentiallyhomogenous populations of seed are generally free from substantialnumbers of other seed, e.g., at least about 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or99% pure.

In representative embodiments, the invention provides a seed of lettucecultivar Dracos.

As a further aspect, the invention provides a plant of lettuce cultivarDracos.

As an additional aspect, the invention provides a lettuce plant, or apart thereof, having all or essentially all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of a plant of lettuce cultivar Dracos.

As another aspect, the invention provides leaves and/or seed of thelettuce plants of the invention and a processed product from the leavesand/or seed of the inventive lettuce plants.

As still another aspect, the invention provides a method of producinglettuce seed, the method comprising crossing a lettuce plant of theinvention with itself or a second lettuce plant. The invention alsoprovides seed produced by this method and plants produced by growing theseed.

As yet a further aspect, the invention provides a method for producing aseed of a lettuce plant derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos, the methodcomprising: (a) crossing a lettuce plant of lettuce cultivar Dracos witha second lettuce plant; and (b) allowing seed of a lettuce plant derivedfrom lettuce cultivar Dracos to form. In embodiments, the method furthercomprises: (c) growing a plant from the seed derived from lettucecultivar Dracos of step (b); (d) selfing the plant grown from thelettuce seed derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos or crossing it to asecond lettuce plant to form additional lettuce seed derived fromlettuce cultivar Dracos, and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) 0 or moretimes to generate further derived lettuce seed. Optionally, the methodcomprises: (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) one or more times (e.g., oneto three, one to five, one to six, one to seven, one to ten, three tofive, three to six, three to seven, three to eight or three to tentimes) to generate further derived lettuce plants. As another option,the method can comprise collecting the seed. The invention also providesseed produced by these methods and plants produced by growing the seed.

As another aspect, the invention provides a method of producing lettuceleaves, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of lettuce cultivarDracos, optionally wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity;and (b) collecting leaves from the plant. The invention also providesthe leaves produced by this method.

Still further, as another aspect, the invention provides a method ofvegetatively propagating a plant of lettuce cultivar Dracos. In anon-limiting example, the method comprises: (a) collecting tissuecapable of being propagated from a plant of lettuce cultivar Dracos; (b)cultivating the tissue to obtain proliferated shoots; and (c) rootingthe proliferated shoots to obtain rooted plantlets. Optionally, theinvention further comprises growing plants from the rooted plantlets.The invention also encompasses the plantlets and plants produced bythese methods.

As an additional aspect, the invention provides a method of introducinga desired added trait into lettuce cultivar Dracos, the methodcomprising: (a) crossing a first plant of lettuce cultivar Dracos with asecond lettuce plant that comprises a desired trait to produce F₁progeny; (b) selecting an F₁ progeny that comprises the desired trait;(c) crossing the selected F₁ progeny with lettuce cultivar Dracos toproduce backcross progeny; and (d) selecting backcross progenycomprising the desired trait to produce a plant derived from lettucecultivar Dracos comprising a desired trait. In embodiments, the selectedprogeny comprises all or essentially all the morphological andphysiological characteristics of the first plant of lettuce cultivarDracos. Optionally, the method further comprises: (e) repeating steps(c) and (d) one or more times in succession (e.g., one to three, one tofive, one to six, one to seven, one to ten, three to five, three to six,three to seven, three to eight or three to ten times) to produce a plantderived from lettuce cultivar Dracos comprising the desired trait.

In representative embodiments, the invention also provides a method ofproducing a plant of lettuce cultivar Dracos comprising a desired addedtrait, the method comprising introducing a transgene conferring thedesired trait into a plant of lettuce cultivar Dracos. The transgene canbe introduced by transformation methods (e.g., genetic engineering) orbreeding techniques. In embodiments, the plant comprising the transgenecomprises all or essentially all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos.

The invention also provides lettuce plants produced by the methods ofthe invention, wherein the lettuce plant has the desired added trait aswell as seed from such lettuce plants.

According to the foregoing methods, the desired added trait can be anysuitable trait known in the art including, for example, male sterility,male fertility, herbicide resistance, insect or pest (e.g., insectand/or nematode) resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, modifiedcarbohydrate metabolism, disease resistance (e.g., for bacterial, fungaland/or viral disease), enhanced nutritional quality, increasedsweetness, increased flavor, improved ripening control, improved salttolerance, industrial usage, or any combination thereof.

In representative embodiments, a transgene conferring herbicideresistance confers resistance to glyphosate, sulfonylurea,imidazolinone, dicamba, glufosinate, phenoxy proprionic acid,L-phosphinothricin, cyclohexone, cyclohexanedione, triazine,benzonitrile, or any combination thereof.

In representative embodiments, a transgene conferring pest resistance(e.g., insect and/or nematode resistance) encodes a Bacillusthuringiensis endotoxin.

In representative embodiments, transgenic plants, single locus convertedplants, hybrid plants and lettuce plants derived from lettuce cultivarDracos have at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more of themorphological and physiological characteristics of lettuce cultivarDracos (e.g., as described in Tables 1 to 18) in any combination, forexample, wide bottom shape, good upright heart shape, large hold abilityin the field in good conditions, cores that stay short for longer timeand/or leaves that thin with low level of blistering, or even all oressentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristicsof lettuce cultivar Dracos, so that said plants are not significantlydifferent for said traits than lettuce cultivar Dracos, as determined atthe 5% significance level when grown in the same environmentalconditions; optionally, with the presence of one or more desiredadditional traits (e.g., male sterility, disease resistance, pest orinsect resistance, herbicide resistance, and the like).

In embodiments, the plants of the invention have at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos (e.g., as described in Tables1 to 18). For example, the plants of the invention can have one, two,three, four, five, or more (in any combination) or even all of thefollowing characteristics: wide bottom shape, good upright heart shape,large hold ability in the field in good conditions, cores that stayshort for longer time and/or leaves that thin with low level ofblistering.

The invention also encompasses plant parts, plant material, pollen,ovules, leaves, fruit and seed from the lettuce plants of the invention.Also provided is a tissue culture of regenerable cells from the lettuceplants of the invention, where optionally, the regenerable cells are:(a) embryos, meristem, leaves, pollen, cotyledons, hypocotyls, roots,root tips, anthers, flowers, pistils, ovules, seed, shoots, stems,stalks, petioles, pith and/or capsules; or (b) callus or protoplastsderived from the cells of (a). Further provided are lettuce plantsregenerated from a tissue culture of the invention.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a method ofdetermining a genetic characteristic of lettuce cultivar Dracos or aprogeny thereof, e.g., a method of determining a genotype of lettucecultivar Dracos or a progeny thereof using molecular genetic techniques.In embodiments, the method comprises detecting in the genome of a Dracosplant, or a progeny plant thereof, at least a first polymorphism, e.g.,comprises nucleic acid amplification and/or nucleic acid sequencing. Toillustrate, in embodiments, the method comprises obtaining a sample ofnucleic acids from the plant and detecting at least a first polymorphismin the nucleic acid sample (e.g., using one or more molecular markers).Optionally, the method may comprise detecting a plurality ofpolymorphisms (e.g., two or more, three or more, four or more, five ormore, six or more, eight or more or ten or more polymorphisms, etc.) inthe genome of the plant. In representative embodiments, the methodfurther comprises storing the results of the step of detecting thepolymorphism(s) on a computer readable medium. The invention furtherprovides a computer readable medium produced by such a method.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,the invention is described in more detail in the description of theinvention set forth below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based, in part, on the development of a novellettuce cultivar having desirable characteristics including wide bottomshape, good upright heart shape, large hold ability in the field in goodconditions, cores that stay short for longer time and leaves that thinwith low level of blistering.

It should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey thescope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in thedescription of the invention herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of theinvention.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, it is specifically intended thatthe various features and embodiments of the invention described hereincan be used in any combination.

Moreover, the present invention also contemplates that in someembodiments of the invention, any feature or combination of features setforth herein can be excluded or omitted. To illustrate, if thespecification states that a composition comprises components A, B and C,it is specifically intended that any of A, B or C, or a combinationthereof, can be omitted and disclaimed singularly or in any combination.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in thedescription of the invention herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of theinvention.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Definitions

In the description and tables that follow, a number of terms are used.In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms,the following definitions are provided:

As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, “and/or” refers to and encompasses any and all possiblecombinations of one or more of the associated listed items, as well asthe lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative (“or”).

The term “about,” as used herein when referring to a measurable valuesuch as a dosage or time period and the like, is meant to encompassvariations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, ±0.5%, or even ±0.1% of thespecified amount.

The term “comprise,” “comprises” and “comprising” as used herein,specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the transitional phrase “consisting essentially of”means that the scope of a claim is to be interpreted to encompass thespecified materials or steps recited in the claim “and those that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of the claimedinvention. See, In re Herz, 537 F.2d 549, 551-52, 190 U.S.P.Q. 461, 463(CCPA 1976) (emphasis in the original); see also MPEP § 2111.03. Thus,the term “consisting essentially of” when used in a claim or thedescription of this invention is not intended to be interpreted to beequivalent to “comprising.”

“Allele”. An allele is any of one or more alternative forms of a gene,all of which relate to a trait or characteristic. In a diploid cell ororganism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding loci on apair of homologous chromosomes.

“Backcrossing”. Backcrossing is a process in which a breeder repeatedlycrosses hybrid progeny back to one of the parents, for example, a firstgeneration hybrid F₁ with one of the parental genotype of the F₁ hybrid.

“Big Vein virus”. Big vein is a disease of lettuce caused by LettuceMirafiori Big Vein Virus which is transmitted by the fungus Olpidiumvirulentus, with vein clearing and leaf shrinkage resulting in plants ofpoor quality and reduced marketable value.

“Bolting”. The premature development of a flowering stalk, andsubsequent seed, before a plant produces a food crop. Bolting istypically caused by late planting when temperatures are low enough tocause vernalization of the plants.

“Bremia lactucae”. An Oomycete that causes downy mildew in lettuce incooler growing regions.

“Core length”. Length of the internal lettuce stem measured from thebase of the cut and trimmed head to the tip of the stem.

“Corky root”. A disease caused by the bacterium Sphingomonassuberifaciens, which causes the entire taproot to become brown, severelycracked, and non-functional.

“Cotyledon”. One of the first leaves of the embryo of a seed plant;typically one or more in monocotyledons, two in dicotyledons, and two ormore in gymnosperms.

“Double haploid line”. A stable inbred line achieved by doubling thechromosomes of a haploid line, e.g., from anther culture. For example,some pollen grains (haploid) cultivated under specific conditionsdevelop plantlets containing 1 n chromosomes. The chromosomes in theseplantlets are then induced to “double” (e.g., using chemical means)resulting in cells containing 2n chromosomes. The progeny of theseplantlets are termed “double haploid” and are essentially notsegregating any more (e.g., are stable). The term “double haploid” isused interchangeably herein with “dihaploid.”

“Essentially all of the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics”. A plant having “essentially all of the physiologicaland morphological characteristics” (and similar phrases) means a planthaving all of the physiological and morphological characteristics oflettuce cultivar Dracos, except for the characteristic(s) derived from aconverted locus/loci (e.g., a single converted locus), for example,introduced via backcrossing to variety Dracos, a modified gene(s)resulting from genome editing techniques, an introduced transgene (i.e.,introduced via genetic transformation techniques) or mutation, when bothplants are grown under the same environmental conditions. Inembodiments, a plant having “essentially all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics” means a plant having all of thecharacteristics of the reference plant with the exception of five orfewer traits, 4 or fewer traits, 3 or fewer traits, 2 or fewer traits,or one trait. In embodiments, a plant having “essentially all of thephysiological and morphological characteristics” (and similar phrases)optionally has a wide bottom shape, good upright heart shape, large holdability in the field in good conditions, cores that stay short forlonger time and leaves that thin with low level of blistering.

“First water date”. The date the seed first receives adequate moistureto germinate. This can and often does equal the planting date.

“Gene”. As used herein, “gene” refers to a segment of nucleic acidcomprising an open reading frame. A gene can be introduced into a genomeof a species, whether from a different species or from the same species,using transformation or various breeding methods.

“Head diameter”. Diameter of the cut and trimmed head, slicedvertically, and measured at the widest point perpendicular to the stem.

“Head height”. Height of the cut and trimmed head, sliced vertically,and measured from the base of the cut stem to the cap leaf.

“Head weight”. Weight of saleable lettuce head, cut and trimmed tomarket specifications.

“Inbred line”: As used herein, the phrase “inbred line” refers to agenetically homozygous or nearly homozygous population. An inbred line,for example, can be derived through several cycles of sib crossingand/or selfing and/or via double haploid production. In someembodiments, inbred lines breed true for one or more traits of interest.An “inbred plant” or “inbred progeny” is an individual sampled from aninbred line.

“Lettuce Mosaic virus”. A disease that can cause a stunted, deformed, ormottled pattern in young lettuce and yellow, twisted, and deformedleaves in older lettuce.

“Maturity date”. Maturity refers to the stage when the plants are offull size and/or optimum weight and/or in marketable form to be ofcommercial or economic value.

“Nasonovia ribisnign”. A lettuce aphid that colonizes the innermostleaves of the lettuce plant, contaminating areas that cannot be treatedeasily with insecticides.

“Plant.” As used herein, the term “plant” includes plant cells, plantprotoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which plants can beregenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intactin plants or parts of plants, such as leaves, pollen, embryos,cotyledons, hypocotyl, roots, root tips, anthers, pistils, flowers,ovules, seeds, fruit, stems, and the like.

“Plant material”. The terms “plant material” and “material obtainablefrom a plant” are used interchangeably herein and refer to any plantmaterial obtainable from a plant including without limitation, leaves,stems, roots, flowers or flower parts, fruits, pollen, ovules, zygotes,seeds, cuttings, cell or tissue cultures, or any other part or productof the plant.

“Plant part”. As used herein, a “plant part” includes any part, organ,tissue or cell of a plant including without limitation an embryo,meristem, leaf, pollen, cotyledon, hypocotyl, root, root tip, anther,flower, flower bud, pistil, ovule, seed, shoot, stem, stalk, petiole,pith, capsule, a scion, a rootstock and/or a fruit including callus andprotoplasts derived from any of the foregoing.

“Quantitative Trait Loci”. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) refers togenetic loci that control to some degree, numerically representabletraits that are usually continuously distributed.

“Ratio of head height/diameter”. Head height divided by the headdiameter is an indication of the head shape; <1 is flattened, 1=round,and >1 is pointed.

“Regeneration”. Regeneration refers to the development of a plant fromtissue culture.

“Resistance”. As used herein the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” (andgrammatical variations thereof) are used interchangeably to describeplants that show reduced or essentially no symptoms to a specific biotic(e.g., a pest, pathogen or disease) or abiotic (e.g., exogenous orenvironmental, including herbicides) factor or stressor. In someembodiments, “resistant” or “tolerant” plants show some symptoms but arestill able to produce marketable product with an acceptable yield, e.g.,the yield may still be reduced and/or the plants may be stunted ascompared with the yield or growth in the absence of the biotic and/orabiotic factor or stressor. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the degree of resistance or tolerance may be assessed with respectto a plurality or even an entire field of plants. A lettuce plant may beconsidered “resistant” or “tolerant” if resistance/tolerance is observedover a plurality of plants (e.g., an average), even if particularindividual plants may be susceptible to the biotic or abiotic factor orstressor.

“RHS”. RHS refers to the Royal Horticultural Society of England whichpublishes an official botanical color chart quantitatively identifyingcolors according to a defined numbering system. The chart may bepurchased from Royal Horticulture Society Enterprise Ltd., RHS Garden;Wisley, Woking; Surrey GU236QB, UK.

“Single locus converted”. A single locus converted or conversion plantrefers to a plant that is developed by plant breeding techniques (e.g.,backcrossing), genome editing techniques, genetic transformationtechniques and/or mutation techniques wherein essentially all of thedesired morphological and physiological characteristics of a line arerecovered in addition to the single locus introduced into the line viathe plant breeding, genome editing, genetic transformation, or mutationtechniques.

“Substantially equivalent characteristic”. A characteristic that, whencompared, does not show a statistically significant difference (e.g.,p=0.05) from the mean.

“Tip burn”. Means a browning of the edges or tips of lettuce leaves thatis a physiological response to a lack of calcium.

“Tomato Bushy Stunt”. Also called “lettuce necrotic stunt”. A diseasethat causes stunting of growth and leaf mottling.

“Transgene”. A nucleic acid of interest that can be introduced into thegenome of a plant by genetic engineering techniques (e.g.,transformation) or breeding. The transgene can be from the same or adifferent species. If from the same species, the transgene can be anadditional copy of a native coding sequence or can present the nativesequence in a form or context (e.g., different genomic location and/orin operable association with exogenous regulatory elements such as apromoter) than is found in the native state. The transgene can comprisean open reading frame encoding a polypeptide or can encode a functionalnon-translated RNA (e.g., RNAi).

Botanical Description of the Lettuce Cultivar Dracos (LS17804).

Characteristics. Lettuce cultivar Dracos (LS17804) is a Little Gemlettuce variety suitable for year around production in the southwestdeserts of California and Arizona and coastal California. Lettucevariety Dracos resulted from a cross of Little Gem lettuce varieties andseveral generations of individual plant selections chosen for good heartshape and bolting resistance.

Lettuce variety Dracos (LS17804) has shown uniformity and stabilitywithin the limits of environmental influence. It has beenself-pollinated a sufficient number of generations with carefulattention to uniformity of plant type. The variety has been increasedwith continued observation for uniformity. No variant traits have beenobserved or are expected in variety Dracos (LS17804).

TABLE 1 Variety Description Information Plant Type: Little Gem Seed Seedcolor: White Light dormancy: Light not required Heat dormancy:Susceptible Cotyledon to Fourth Leaf Stage Shape of cotyledons: BroadShape of 4^(th) Leaf: Elongated Apical Margin: Entire Basel Margin:Coarsely Dentate Undulation: Flat Anthocyanin distribution: AbsentRolling: Absent Cupping: Uncupped Reflexing: None Mature Leaves Marginincision depth: Absent Margin indentation: Absent Margin undulation ofthe apical margin: Absent or very weak Green color of outer leaves:Green Anthocyanin distribution: Absent Glossiness: Weak Leaf blistering:Medium to Strong Trichomes: Absent Leaf thickness: Intermediate Plant atMarket Stage Head shape: Broad Elliptic Head size class: Small to mediumHead weight (g): 235.3 Head firmness: Dense Butt shape: Rounded ButtMidrib: Prominently Raised Core Diameter at base of head (mm): 25.22Core height from base of head to apex (mm): 35.77 Maturity (days)Spring: 55 to 75 days Summer: 70 days Fall: 55 to 75 days Winter: 62days Adaptation Primary U.S. Regions of Adaptation (tested and provenadapted) Southwest (California, Arizona desert): Yes West Coast: YesSoutheast: Not tested Northeast: Not tested Spring area: Yuma, Imperial,West Coast Summer area: West Coast Fall area: Yuma and Imperial Winterarea: Yuma and Imperial Greenhouse: Not tested Soil type: Both ofmineral and organic Disease and Stress Reactions Virus Tomato BushyStunt virus (TBSV): Highly resistant Big vein: Not tested LettuceMosaic: Not tested Cucumber Mosaic virus: Not tested Broad Bean Wilt:Not tested Turnip Mosaic virus: Not tested Best Western Yellows: Nottested Lettuce Infectious Yellows: Not tested Lettuce Mosaic Virusstrain Ls-1: Intermediate resistance Fungal/Bacterial Corky Root Rot(Pythium Root Rot): Not tested Bremia lactucae (Downy Mildew): HighlyResistance: Bl: 16-30, 32, 34, 36EU, Bl: 5-9US Powdery Mildew: Nottested Sclerotinia Rot: Not tested Bacterial Soft Rot (Pseudomonas spp.& others): Not tested Botrytis (Gray Mold): Not tested Insects CabbageLoopers: Not tested Nasonovia ribisnigri biotype Nr:0: Highly resistanceRoot Aphids: Not tested Green Peach Aphid: Not testedPhysiological/Stress Tip burn: Not tested Heat: Intermediate Drought:Not tested Cold: Intermediate Salt: Not tested Brown Rib: Not testedPost-Harvest Pink Rib: Not tested Russett Spotting: Not tested RustyBrown Discoloration: Not tested Internal Rib Necrosis (Blackheart, GrayRib, Gray Streak): Not tested Brown Stain: Not tested

TABLE 2 Length (mm) of 4th Leaf at 20 Days Dracos Lunos 55 57 48 70 5059 40 52 50 49 50 69 60 50 46 47 52 64 55 45 33 62 49 39 56 55 39 52 5357 43 59 44 61 47 68 59 42 39 59 Response Length (mm) of 4th Leaf at 20ANOVA Variable: Days Source of Variation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1547.60 547.60 8.521 0.006 Residuals 38 2442.00 64.30 Variety Mean DuncanGrouping Lunos 55.8 a Dracos 48.4 b ANOVA shows a significant difference(p < 0.05) in the length (mm) of 4th leaf at 20 days. The average length(mm) of 4th leaf for Lunos and Dracos is 55.8 and 48.4, respectively.

TABLE 3 Width (mm) of 4th Leaf at 20 Days Dracos Lunos 20 18 21 22 22 1613 19 19 17 21 17 24 15 16 11 26 16 22 15 14 19 17 11 25 15 18 16 20 1921 20 20 20 19 18 20 12 18 19 Response Width of 4th Leaf at 20 ANOVAVariable: Days Source of Variation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 93 93.039.328 0.004 Residuals 38 378.9 9.97 Variety Mean Duncan Grouping Dracos19.8 a Lunos 16.8 b ANOVA shows a significant difference (p < 0.05) inthe width (mm) of 4th leaf at 20 days. The average length (mm) of 4thleaf for Dracos and Lunos is 19.8 and 16.8, respectively.

TABLE 4 Length to Width Index of 4th Leaf at 20 Days Dracos Lunos 2.753.17 2.29 3.18 2.27 3.69 3.08 2.74 2.63 2.88 2.38 4.06 2.50 3.33 2.884.27 2.00 4.00 2.50 3.00 2.36 3.26 2.88 3.55 2.24 3.67 2.17 3.25 2.653.00 2.05 2.95 2.20 3.05 2.47 3.78 2.95 3.50 2.17 3.11 ResponseLength:Width Index of 4th ANOVA Variable: Leaf at 20 Days Source ofVariation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 8.119 8.119 57.9 <0.0001Residuals 38 5.329 0.14 Variety Mean Duncan Grouping Lunos 3.37 a Dracos2.47 b ANOVA shows a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in the lengthto width index of 4th leaf at 20 days. The average length to width indexof 4th leaf for Lunos and Dracos is 3.37 and 2.47, respectively.

TABLE 5 Length (mm) of Cotyledon at 20 Days Dracos Lunos 14 11 14 10 1413 14 11 15 11 14 8 14 11 11 10 16 10 15 10 14 11 15 10 14 11 15 10 1511 11 10 14 9 12 8 13 10 15 10 Response Length (mm) of Cotyledon atANOVA Variable: 20 Days Source of Variation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1136.9 136.9 91.75 <0.0001 Residuals 38 56.7 1.49 Variety Mean DuncanGrouping Dracos 13.95 a Lunos 10.25 b ANOVA shows a significantdifference (p < 0.0001) in the length (mm) of cotyledon at 20 days. Theaverage length (mm) of cotyledon for Dracos and Lunos is 13.95 and10.25, respectively.

TABLE 6 Width (mm) of Cotyledon at 20 Days Dracos Lunos 10 8 10 7 9 7 108 9 8 10 6 9 7 8 7 10 7 10 8 10 7 10 8 10 7 10 7 9 7 8 6 10 8 9 6 9 7 106 Response Width (mm) of Cotyledon ANOVA Variable: at 20 Days Source ofVariation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 57.6 57.6 116.4 <0.0001 Residuals38 18.8 0.49 Variety Mean Duncan Grouping Dracos 9.5 a Lunos 7.1 b ANOVAshows a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in the width (mm) ofcotyledon at 20 days. The average length (mm) of cotyledon for Dracosand Lunos is 9.5 and 7.1, respectively.

TABLE 7 Length to Width Index of Cotyledon at 20 Days Dracos Lunos 1.401.38 1.40 1.43 1.56 1.86 1.40 1.38 1.67 1.38 1.40 1.33 1.56 1.57 1.381.43 1.60 1.43 1.50 1.25 1.40 1.57 1.50 1.25 1.40 1.57 1.50 1.43 1.671.57 1.38 1.67 1.40 1.13 1.33 1.33 1.44 1.43 1.50 1.67 ResponseLength:Width Index of ANOVA Variable: Cotyledon at 20 Days Source ofVariation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 0.003 0.003 0.146 0.704 Residuals38 0.735 0.019 Variety Mean Duncan Grouping Dracos 1.47 a Lunos 1.45 aANOVA shows significant differences in the length to width index ofcotyledon at 20 days.

TABLE 8 Head Weight (g) at Harvest Maturity Location 1 Location 2Location 3 Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos 262 335 230 300 241184 266 308 227 204 256 207 283 295 238 250 208 218 256 295 196 174 169201 310 277 197 201 253 168 287 299 172 224 228 167 340 357 205 184 188146 313 357 159 176 257 171 204 344 146 194 258 170 323 323 171 192 228151 290 336 202 204 157 181 200 362 180 176 178 158 307 299 204 201 279162 265 305 229 186 249 153 325 318 223 242 302 170 266 422 175 278 214193 316 322 205 184 242 154 256 369 168 245 179 163 283 328 205 226 221180 293 265 200 212 236 126 Response Head Weight (g) at ANOVA Variable:Harvest Maturity Source of Variation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 43 430.04 0.8420 Location 2 278773 139387 128.16 <0.0001 Variety:Location 252847 26424 24.3 <0.0001 Residuals 114 123982 1088 Variety Mean DuncanGrouping Lunos 236.5 a Dracos 235.3 a ANOVA shows significantdifferences in the head weight (g) at harvest maturity for variety butdoes show a significant difference (p < 0.0001) for location and theinteraction between variety and location.

TABLE 9 Plant Height (cm) at Harvest Maturity Location 1 Location 2Location 3 Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos 12.5 13.0 12.0 12.016.0 16.0 12.6 12.7 12.0 12.0 19.0 16.0 12.4 13.8 11.0 12.0 16.0 15.011.5 12.5 12.0 11.0 18.0 16.0 12.0 13.7 13.0 12.0 18.0 17.0 11.5 12.611.0 11.0 16.0 16.0 12.5 13.5 12.0 11.0 18.0 18.0 12.7 13.0 12.0 12.018.0 17.0 12.0 13.0 12.0 13.0 18.0 17.0 12.2 12.8 12.0 12.0 17.0 16.011.5 13.2 14.0 12.0 18.0 16.0 13.0 13.1 12.0 11.0 18.0 16.0 11.8 13.412.0 12.0 18.0 17.0 11.6 14.0 13.0 12.0 19.0 18.0 11.5 12.0 13.0 11.017.0 17.0 11.5 15.0 12.0 12.0 17.0 17.0 10.6 12.4 12.0 13.0 18.0 17.013.0 12.3 13.0 13.0 18.0 17.0 11.5 13.0 13.0 12.0 18.0 17.0 13.0 13.012.0 12.0 19.0 17.0 Response Plant Height (cm) at ANOVA Variable:Harvest Maturity Source of Variation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 0.40.4 0.738 0.3920 Location 2 632.5 316.3 588.654 <0.0001 Variety:Location2 23 11.5 21.389 <0.0001 Residuals 114 61.2 0.5 Variety Mean DuncanGrouping Dracos 14.00 a Lunos 13.88 a ANOVA shows significantdifferences in the plant height (cm) at harvest maturity for variety butdoes show a significant difference (p < 0.0001) for location and theinteraction between variety and location.

TABLE 10 Core Length (mm) from Base - Market Trimmed, Single Cap LeafLocation 1 Location 2 Location 3 Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos40 55 27 23 50 40 37 48 30 32 45 30 39 48 20 30 40 30 40 46 20 22 35 4041 46 35 30 45 40 37 43 24 31 40 40 37 43 27 26 30 40 46 48 28 21 30 4531 45 32 25 35 45 41 46 32 33 40 50 35 50 25 24 40 40 43 45 30 26 45 4041 41 27 32 35 35 40 60 27 28 45 40 35 42 37 29 30 40 40 70 35 37 35 3030 44 27 37 35 40 50 42 36 32 40 40 38 43 38 23 45 50 32 40 31 30 45 45Response Core Length (mm) from Base - ANOVA Variable: Market Trimmed,Single Cap Leaf Source of Variation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 241240.8 7.610 0.0070 Location 2 4264 2131.9 67.363 <0.0001Variety:Location 2 512 255.8 8.083 0.0010 Residuals 114 3608 31.6Variety Mean Duncan Grouping Lunos 38.60 a Dracos 35.77 b ANOVA shows asignificant difference (p < 0.05) of core length (mm) from base - markettrimmed, single cap leaf at harvest maturity stage for variety,location, and in the interaction between variety and location. Theaverage core length (mm) for Lunos and Dracos is 38.60 and 35.77,respectively.

TABLE 11 Core Diameter (mm) from Base - Market Trimmed, Single Cap LeafLocation 1 Location 2 Location 3 Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos29 32 25 27 20 25 29 30 25 28 25 20 28 30 23 28 25 20 25 32 25 25 25 2025 30 25 27 20 20 30 30 27 26 20 20 29 31 27 29 20 20 31 29 25 26 20 2531 34 23 26 20 20 27 29 27 27 20 30 26 30 21 25 20 25 30 33 24 25 20 2529 30 23 28 25 25 29 34 25 25 25 15 28 35 26 24 20 20 28 34 28 28 25 2024 32 27 29 15 15 29 30 26 30 25 25 27 13 25 25 25 25 35 29 27 29 25 25Response Core Diameter (mm) from Base - ANOVA Variable: Market Trimmed,Single Cap Leaf Source of Variation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 42 424.53 0.0360 Location 2 1098 549 59.198 <0.0001 Variety:Location 2 21.310.7 1.149 0.3210 Residuals 114 1057.2 9.3 Variety Mean Duncan GroupingLunos 26.40 a Dracos 25.22 b ANOVA shows a significant difference (p <0.05) of core diameter (mm) from base - market trimmed, single cap leafat harvest maturity stage for variety and location but not in theinteraction between variety and location. The average core diameter (mm)for Lunos and Dracos is 26.40 and 25.22, respectively.

TABLE 12 Core Length to Diameter Index from Base - Market Trimmed,Single Cap Leaf Location 1 Location 2 Location 3 Dracos Lunos DracosLunos Dracos Lunos 1.38 1.72 1.00 1.25 1.47 1.33 1.28 1.60 2.00 1.101.50 1.50 1.39 1.60 1.50 1.00 1.50 1.20 1.60 1.44 0.88 1.14 1.25 1.501.64 1.53 1.11 1.03 1.39 2.00 1.23 1.43 1.30 1.17 1.40 1.33 1.28 1.391.26 1.19 1.33 2.00 1.48 1.66 0.83 1.04 1.33 1.33 1.00 1.32 1.05 1.261.33 1.67 1.52 1.59 1.50 1.43 1.33 1.33 1.35 1.67 0.60 1.12 2.00 1.331.43 1.36 1.26 1.11 1.25 1.00 1.41 1.37 1.36 1.03 0.87 2.00 1.38 1.761.07 1.07 1.33 2.20 1.25 1.20 1.17 1.48 1.67 1.33 1.43 2.06 1.23 1.221.67 1.00 1.25 1.38 1.50 0.86 1.33 1.00 1.72 1.40 1.27 1.37 1.50 1.001.41 3.31 0.80 0.83 1.25 1.33 0.91 1.38 1.36 1.11 2.00 1.00 ResponseCore Length to Diameter ANOVA Variable: Index Source of Variation df SSMS F P-value Variety 1 0.089 0.089 0.943 0.3340 Location 2 2.253 1.12711.924 <0.0001 Variety:Location 2 0.535 0.268 2.832 0.0630 Residuals 11410.771 0.095 Variety Mean Duncan Grouping Lunos 1.39 a Dracos 1.33 aANOVA shows a significant difference (p < 0.05) of core length todiameter index from base - market trimmed, single cap leaf at harvestmaturity stage for location but not for variety or in the interactionbetween variety and location.

TABLE 13 Length of Frame Leaves (cm) at Harvest Maturity Location 1Location 2 Location 3 Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos 14 13 17 1315 16 15 14 14 14 16 16 12 13 16 12 17 15 13 13 15 13 18 13 12 14 15 1514 14 13 12 16 11 14 14 14 13 16 14 17 15 13 13 15 16 14 14 15 14 14 1215 16 13 14 15 14 17 14 14 11 14 13 16 12 16 13 16 12 15 14 15 14 17 1314 13 13 13 16 14 16 14 15 13 16 13 15 14 14 14 18 13 15 14 13 12 16 1216 15 15 13 13 15 15 15 15 12 13 13 14 15 14 14 16 13 16 14 ResponseLength of Frame Leaves ANOVA Variable: (cm) at Harvest Maturity Sourceof Variation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 53.07 53.07 41.946 <0.0001Location 2 44.85 22.43 17.726 <0.0001 Variety:Location 2 10.73 5.374.242 0.0170 Residuals 114 144.23 1.27 Variety Mean Duncan GroupingDracos 14.88 a Lunos 13.55 b ANOVA shows a significant difference (p <0.05) of length of frame leaves (cm) at harvest maturity stage forvariety, location, and in the interaction between variety and location.The average length of frame leaves (cm) for Dracos and Lunos is 14.88and 13.55, respectively.

TABLE 14 Width of Frame Leaves (cm) at Harvest Maturity Location 1Location 2 Location 3 Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos 17 12 16 1311 10 17 15 16 13 12 11 16 13 15 11 12 12 16 13 14 12 11 10 13 13 16 1210 12 18 14 15 11 11 12 17 14 14 13 12 10 13 13 14 13 11 11 15 12 12 1211 13 13 12 15 13 11 10 17 12 14 11 12 9 17 12 15 10 12 10 14 14 16 1113 11 13 13 15 12 11 12 18 12 15 13 12 11 16 13 16 11 12 11 17 11 16 1011 10 18 13 13 13 12 12 15 12 15 12 11 10 17 15 15 13 12 10 ResponseWidth of Frame Leaves ANOVA Variable: (cm) at Harvest Maturity Source ofVariation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 133.77 133.77 100.77 <0.0001Location 2 214.38 107.19 80.75 <0.0001 Variety:Location 2 32.11 16.0612.1 <0.0001 Residuals 114 151.34 1.33 Variety Mean Duncan GroupingDracos 14.04 a Lunos 11.93 b ANOVA shows a significant difference (p <0.0001) of width of frame leaves (cm) at harvest maturity stage forvariety, location, and in the interaction between variety and location.The average width of frame leaves (cm) for Dracos and Lunos is 14.04 and11.93, respectively.

TABLE 15 Length to Width Index of Frame Leaves at Harvest MaturityLocation 1 Location 2 Location 3 Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos Dracos Lunos0.85 1.10 1.06 1.00 1.71 1.71 0.87 0.93 0.88 1.08 1.50 2.00 0.75 0.971.07 1.09 1.86 1.75 0.81 0.98 1.07 1.08 1.27 1.56 0.89 1.02 0.94 1.252.33 1.57 0.74 0.87 1.07 1.00 1.50 1.50 0.81 0.91 1.14 1.08 1.86 1.631.01 1.01 1.07 1.23 1.63 2.17 1.00 1.14 1.17 1.00 1.75 1.38 1.02 1.131.00 1.08 1.56 1.67 0.85 0.95 1.00 1.18 1.44 1.83 0.93 1.07 1.07 1.201.33 1.67 1.01 1.01 1.06 1.18 1.86 1.71 1.02 0.98 1.07 1.17 1.56 1.750.83 1.12 1.07 1.00 1.67 1.67 0.84 1.04 1.13 1.18 1.75 1.83 0.77 1.041.00 1.20 1.71 1.50 0.82 0.97 1.00 1.15 1.44 1.67 1.01 1.02 0.87 1.081.57 1.57 0.81 0.95 1.07 1.00 1.38 1.50 Response Length to Width Indexof Frame ANOVA Variable: Leaves at Harves Maturity Source of Variationdf SS MS F P-value Variety 1 0.204 0.204 10.322 0.0017 Location 2 11.4955.748 290.547 <0.0001 Variety:Location 2 0.034 0.017 0.869 0.4221Residuals 114 2.255 0.02 Variety Mean Duncan Grouping Lunos 1.27 aDracos 1.19 b ANOVA shows a significant difference (p < 0.05) of lengthto width index of frame leaves at harvest maturity stage for variety andlocation but not in the interaction between variety and location. Theaverage length to width index of frame leaves for Lunos and Dracos is1.27 and 1.19, respectively.

TABLE 16 Height (cm) of Mature Seed Stalk Dracos Lunos 81.28 81.28 71.1286.36 78.74 96.52 78.74 96.52 73.66 76.20 68.58 71.12 78.74 81.28 68.5876.20 71.12 101.60 78.74 88.90 83.82 78.74 71.12 88.90 71.12 91.44 68.5886.36 78.74 86.36 76.20 91.44 71.12 83.82 71.12 88.90 73.66 81.28 76.2088.90 Response Height (cm) of Mature ANOVA Variable: Seed Stalk Sourceof Variation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 1336 1335.6 33.86 <0.0001Residuals 38 1499 39.4 Variety Mean Duncan Grouping Lunos 86.11 a Dracos74.55 b ANOVA shows a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in the height(cm) of mature seed stalk. The average height (cm) of mature seed stalkfor Lunos and Dracos is 86.11 and 74.55, respectively.

TABLE 17 Spread (cm) of Mature Seed Stalk at Widest Point Dracos Lunos50.80 35.56 53.34 35.56 50.80 50.80 43.18 35.56 43.18 45.72 45.72 35.5648.26 40.64 45.72 48.26 53.34 40.64 53.34 38.10 50.80 38.10 55.88 40.6453.34 38.10 55.88 43.18 55.88 50.80 48.26 40.64 53.34 40.64 53.34 38.1053.34 35.56 55.88 45.72 Response Spread (cm) of Mature ANOVA Variable:Seed Stalk at Widest Point Source of Variation df SS MS F P-valueVariety 1 1058.2 1058.2 50.12 <0.0001 Residuals 38 802.3 21.1 VarietyMean Duncan Grouping Dracos 51.18 a Lunos 40.89 b ANOVA shows asignificant difference (p < 0.0001) in the spread (cm) of mature seedstalk at the widest point. The average spread (cm) of mature seed stalkfor Dracos and Lunos is 51.18 and 40.89, respectively.

TABLE 18 Height to Spread Index (cm) of Mature Seed Stalk Dracos Lunos1.60 2.29 1.33 2.43 1.55 1.90 1.82 2.71 1.71 1.67 1.50 2.00 1.63 2.001.50 1.58 1.33 2.50 1.48 2.33 1.65 2.07 1.27 2.19 1.33 2.40 1.23 2.001.41 1.70 1.58 2.25 1.33 2.06 1.33 2.33 1.38 2.29 1.36 1.94 ResponseHeight to Spread Index of ANOVA Variable: Mature Seed Stalk Source ofVariation df SS MS F P-value Variety 1 4.423 4.423 78.94 <0.0001Residuals 38 2.129 0.056 Variety Mean Duncan Grouping Lunos 2.13 aDracos 1.47 b ANOVA shows a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in theheight to spread index of mature seed stalk. The average height tospread index of mature seed stalk for Lunos and Dracos is 2.13 and 1.47,respectively.

Tissue Culture.

Further reproduction of lettuce plants variety can occur by tissueculture and regeneration. Tissue culture of various tissues of lettuceand regeneration of plants therefrom is well known and widely published.For example, reference may be had to Teng, et al., HortScience, 27:9,1030-1032 (1992); Teng, et al., HortScience, 28:6, 669-1671 (1993);Zhang, et al., Journal of Genetics and Breeding, 46:3, 287-290 (1992);Webb, et al., Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, 38:1, 77-79 (1994);Curtis, et al., Journal of Experimental Botany, 45:279, 1441-1449(1994); Nagata, et al., Journal for the American Society forHorticultural Science, 125:6, 669-672 (2000); and Ibrahim, et al., PlantCell Tissue and Organ Culture, 28(2), 139-145 (1992). It is clear fromthe literature that the state of the art is such that these methods ofobtaining plants are routinely used and have a very high rate ofsuccess. Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide cellswhich upon growth and differentiation produce lettuce plants havingdesired characteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos. Optionally, lettuceplants can be regenerated from the tissue culture of the inventioncomprising all or essentially all of the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos.

As used herein, the term “tissue culture” indicates a compositioncomprising isolated cells of the same or a different type or acollection of such cells organized into parts of a plant. Exemplarytypes of tissue cultures are protoplasts, calli, meristematic cells, andplant cells that can generate tissue culture that are intact in plantsor parts of plants, such as leaves, pollen, embryos, roots, root tips,anthers, pistils, flowers, seeds, petioles, suckers, and the like. Meansfor preparing and maintaining plant tissue culture are well known in theart. By way of example, a tissue culture comprising organs has been usedto produce regenerated plants. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,959,185, 5,973,234, and5,977,445 describe certain techniques.

Additional Breeding Methods.

This invention is also directed to methods for producing a lettuce plantby crossing a first parent lettuce plant with a second parent lettuceplant wherein the first or second parent lettuce plant is a plant oflettuce cultivar Dracos. Further, both first and second parent lettucecan come from lettuce cultivar Dracos. Thus, any of the followingexemplary methods using lettuce cultivar Dracos are part of thisinvention: selfing, backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses topopulations, double haploid production, and the like. All plantsproduced using lettuce cultivar Dracos as at least one parent are withinthe scope of this invention, including those developed from lettuceplants derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos. Advantageously, lettucecultivar Dracos can be used in crosses with other, different, lettuceplants to produce the first generation (F₁) lettuce hybrid seeds andplants with desirable characteristics. The lettuce plants of theinvention can also be used for transformation where exogenous transgenesare introduced and expressed by the plants of the invention. Geneticvariants created either through traditional breeding methods or throughtransformation of the cultivars of the invention by any of a number ofprotocols known to those of skill in the art are intended to be withinthe scope of this invention.

The following describes exemplary breeding methods that may be used withlettuce cultivar Dracos in the development of further lettuce plants.One such embodiment is a method for developing lettuce cultivar Dracosprogeny lettuce plants in a lettuce plant breeding program comprising:obtaining a plant, or a part thereof, of lettuce cultivar Dracos,utilizing said plant or plant part as a source of breeding material, andselecting a lettuce cultivar Dracos progeny plant with molecular markersin common with lettuce cultivar Dracos and/or with some, all oressentially all of the morphological and/or physiologicalcharacteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos (see, e.g., Tables 1 to 18).In representative embodiments, the progeny plant has at least 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos (e.g., as described in Tables1 to 18, such as wide bottom shape, good upright heart shape, large holdability in the field in good conditions, cores that stay short forlonger time and/or leaves that thin with low level of blistering) oreven all of the morphological and physiological characteristics oflettuce cultivar Dracos so that said progeny lettuce plant is notsignificantly different for said traits than lettuce cultivar Dracos, asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown in the sameenvironmental conditions; optionally, with the presence of one or moredesired additional traits (e.g., male sterility, disease resistance,pest or insect resistance, herbicide resistance, and the like). Breedingsteps that may be used in the breeding program include pedigreebreeding, backcrossing, mutation breeding and/or recurrent selection. Inconjunction with these steps, techniques such as RFLP-enhancedselection, genetic marker enhanced selection (for example, SSR markers)and/or and the making of double haploids may be utilized.

Another representative method involves producing a population of lettucecultivar Dracos progeny plants, comprising crossing lettuce cultivarDracos with another lettuce plant, thereby producing a population oflettuce plants that, on average, derives 50% of its alleles (i.e., TAC)from lettuce cultivar Dracos. A plant of this population may be selectedand repeatedly selfed or sibbed with a lettuce plant resulting fromthese successive filial generations or backcrossed to lettuce cultivarDracos. Another approach is to make double haploid plants to achievehomozygosity. One embodiment of this invention is a lettuce plantproduced by these methods and that has obtained at least 50% of itsalleles from lettuce cultivar Dracos. In embodiments, the methods of theinvention produce a population of lettuce plants that, on average,derives at least 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%,65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of its alleles (i.e.,TAC) from lettuce cultivar Dracos, e.g., at least about 6.25%, 12.5%,25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%,96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the genetic complement of lettuce cultivarDracos. One representative embodiment of this invention is the lettuceplant produced by the methods of the invention and that has obtained atleast 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%,80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of its alleles (i.e., TAC) fromlettuce cultivar Dracos, and optionally is the result of a breedingprocess comprising one or two breeding crosses and one or more ofselfing, sibbing, backcrossing and/or double haploid techniques in anycombination and any order. In embodiments, the breeding process does notinclude a breeding cross, and comprises selfing, sibbing, backcrossingand or double haploid technology.

One of ordinary skill in the art of plant breeding would know how toevaluate the traits of two plant varieties to determine if there is nosignificant difference between the two traits expressed by thosevarieties. For example, see Fehr and Walt, Principles of CultivarDevelopment, pp. 261-286 (1987). In embodiments, the inventionencompasses Dracos progeny plants having a combination of at least 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more of the characteristics as described hereinfor lettuce cultivar Dracos, so that said progeny lettuce plant is notsignificantly different for said traits than lettuce cultivar Dracos, asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown in the sameenvironmental conditions. Using techniques described herein and thoseknown in the art, molecular markers may be used to identify said progenyplant as progeny of lettuce cultivar Dracos. Mean trait values may beused to determine whether trait differences are significant, andoptionally the traits are measured on plants grown under the sameenvironmental conditions.

Progeny of lettuce cultivar Dracos may also be characterized throughtheir filial relationship with lettuce cultivar Dracos, as for example,being within a certain number of breeding crosses of lettuce cultivarDracos. A breeding cross is a cross made to introduce new genetics intothe progeny, and is distinguished from a cross, such as a self or a sibcross or a backcross to Dracos as a recurrent parent, made to selectamong existing genetic alleles. The lower the number of breeding crossesin the pedigree, the closer the relationship between lettuce cultivarDracos and its progeny. For example, progeny produced by the methodsdescribed herein may be within 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more breeding crosses oflettuce cultivar Dracos.

In representative embodiments, a lettuce plant derived from lettucecultivar Dracos comprises cells comprising at least one set ofchromosomes derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos. In embodiments, thelettuce plant or population of lettuce plants derived from lettucecultivar Dracos comprises, on average, at least 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%,98% or 99% of its alleles (i.e., TAC) from lettuce cultivar Dracos,e.g., at least about 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the geneticcomplement of lettuce cultivar Dracos, and optionally is the result of abreeding process comprising one or two breeding crosses and one or moreof selfing, sibbing, backcrossing and/or double haploid techniques inany combination and any order. In embodiments, the breeding process doesnot include a breeding cross, and comprises selfing, sibbing,backcrossing and or double haploid technology. In embodiments, thelettuce plant derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos is one, two, three,four, five or more breeding crosses removed from lettuce cultivarDracos.

In representative embodiments, a plant derived from lettuce cultivarDracos is a double haploid plant, a hybrid plant or an inbred plant.

In embodiments, a hybrid or derived plant from lettuce cultivar Dracoscomprises a desired added trait. In representative embodiments, alettuce plant derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos comprises all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of lettuce cultivarDracos (e.g., as described in Tables 1 to 18, for example, wide bottomshape, good upright heart shape, large hold ability in the field in goodconditions, cores that stay short for longer time and/or leaves thatthin with low level of blistering). In embodiments, the lettuce plantderived from lettuce cultivar Dracos comprises essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of lettuce cultivarDracos (e.g., as described in Tables 1 to 18) in any combination (forexample, wide bottom shape, good upright heart shape, large hold abilityin the field in good conditions, cores that stay short for longer timeand/or leaves that thin with low level of blistering), with the additionof a desired added trait.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the traitsdescribed above with respect to plant transformation methods can beintroduced into a plant of the invention (e.g., lettuce cultivar Dracosand hybrid lettuce plants and other lettuce plants derived therefrom)using breeding techniques.

Genetic Transformation.

With the advent of molecular biological techniques that have allowed theisolation and characterization of genes that encode specific proteinproducts, scientists in the field of plant biology developed a stronginterest in engineering the genome of plants to contain and expressforeign nucleic acids including additional or modified versions ofnative (endogenous) nucleic acids (optionally driven by a non-nativepromoter) in order to alter the traits of a plant in a specific manner.Any nucleic acid sequences, whether from a different species, the samespecies or an artificial sequence, which are introduced into the genomeusing transformation or various breeding methods, are referred to hereincollectively as “transgenes.” Over the last fifteen to twenty years,several methods for producing transgenic plants have been developed, andin particular embodiments the present invention also relates totransformed versions of the plants disclosed herein.

Genetic engineering techniques can be used (alone or in combination withbreeding methods) to introduce one or more desired added traits intoplant, for example, lettuce cultivar Dracos or progeny or lettuce plantsderived thereof. Once a transgene has been introduction into a plant bygenetic transformation, it can be transferred to other plants viaconventional breeding.

Plant transformation generally involves the construction of anexpression vector that will function in plant cells. Optionally, such avector comprises one or more nucleic acids comprising a coding sequencefor a polypeptide or an untranslated functional RNA under control of, oroperatively linked to, a regulatory element (for example, a promoter).In representative embodiments, the vector(s) may be in the form of aplasmid, and can be used alone or in combination with other plasmids, toprovide transformed lettuce plants using transformation methods asdescribed herein to incorporate transgenes into the genetic material ofthe lettuce plant.

Additional methods include, but are not limited to, expression vectorsintroduced into plant tissues using a direct nucleic acid transfermethod, such as microprojectile-mediated delivery (e.g., with abiolistic device), DNA injection, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation,electroporation, and the like. Transformed plants obtained from theplants (and parts and tissue culture thereof) of the invention areintended to be within the scope of this invention.

Expression Vectors for Plant Transformation—Selectable Markers.

Expression vectors typically include at least one nucleic acidcomprising or encoding a selectable marker, operably linked to aregulatory element (for example, a promoter) that allows transformedcells containing the marker to be either recovered by negativeselection, e.g., inhibiting growth of cells that do not contain theselectable marker, or by positive selection, e.g., screening for theproduct encoded by the selectable marker. Many commonly used selectablemarkers for plant transformation are well known in the transformationart, and include, for example, nucleic acids that code for enzymes thatmetabolically detoxify a selective chemical agent which may be anantibiotic or an herbicide, or nucleic acids that encode an alteredtarget which is insensitive to the inhibitor. Positive selection methodsare also known in the art.

Commonly used selectable markers in plants include, but are not limitedto: neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) conferring resistance tokanamycin, hygromycin phosphotransferase conferring resistance to theantibiotic hygromycin, bacterial selectable markers that conferresistance to antibiotics (e.g., gentamycin acetyl transferase,streptomycin phosphotransferase, and aminoglycoside-3′-adenyltransferase, selectable markers conferring resistance to herbicides(e.g., glyphosate, glufosinate, or bromoxynil). Selection of transformedplant cells can also be based on screening presumptively transformedplant cells rather than direct genetic selection of transformed cellsfor resistance to a toxic substance such as an antibiotic; such markersinclude without limitation alpha-glucuronidase (GUS),alpha-galactosidase, luciferase, and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) andmutant GFPs.

Expression Vectors for Plant Transformation—Promoters.

Transgenes included in expression vectors are generally driven by anucleotide sequence comprising a regulatory element (for example, apromoter). Numerous types of promoters are well known in thetransformation arts, as are other regulatory elements that can be usedalone or in combination with promoters.

As used herein, “promoter” includes reference to a region of DNAupstream from the start of transcription and involved in recognition andbinding of RNA polymerase and other proteins to initiate transcription.A “plant promoter” is a promoter capable of initiating transcription inplant cells.

Examples of promoters under developmental control include promoters thatpreferentially initiate transcription in certain tissues, such asleaves, roots, seeds, fibers, xylem vessels, tracheids, or sclerenchyma.Such promoters are referred to as “tissue-preferred.” Promoters thatinitiate transcription only in certain tissue are referred to as“tissue-specific.” A “cell type” specific promoter preferentially drivesexpression in certain cell types in one or more organs, for example,vascular cells in roots or leaves. An “inducible” promoter is a promoterthat is under environmental control. Examples of environmentalconditions that may affect transcription by inducible promoters includeanaerobic conditions or the presence of light. Tissue-specific,tissue-preferred, cell type specific, and inducible promoters constitutethe class of “non-constitutive” promoters. A “constitutive” promoter isa promoter that is active under most environmental conditions.

Many suitable promoters are known in the art and can be selected andused to achieve the desired outcome.

Signal Sequences for Targeting Proteins to Subcellular Compartments.

Transport of polypeptides produced by transgenes to a subcellularcompartment such as the chloroplast, vacuole, peroxisome, glyoxysome,cell wall, or mitochondrion, or for secretion into the apoplast, isgenerally accomplished by means of operably linking a nucleotidesequence encoding a signal sequence to the 5′ and/or 3′ region of anucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of interest. Signal sequences atthe 5′ and/or 3′ end of the coding sequence target the polypeptide toparticular subcellular compartments.

The presence of a signal sequence can direct a polypeptide to either anintracellular organelle or subcellular compartment or for secretion tothe apoplast. Many signal sequences are known in the art. See, forexample, Becker, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 20:49 (1992); Close, P. S.,Master's Thesis, Iowa State University (1993); Knox, C., et al.,“Structure and Organization of Two Divergent Alpha-Amylase Genes fromBarley,” Plant Mol. Biol., 9:3-17 (1987); Lerner, et al., PlantPhysiol., 91:124-129 (1989); Fontes, et al., Plant Cell, 3:483-496(1991); Matsuoka, et al., PNAS, 88:834 (1991); Gould, et al., J. Cell.Biol., 108:1657 (1989); Creissen, et al., Plant J, 2:129 (1991);Kalderon, et al., A short amino acid sequence able to specify nuclearlocation, Cell, 39:499-509 (1984); and Steifel, et al., Expression of amaize cell wall hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein gene in early leaf androot vascular differentiation, Plant Cell, 2:785-793 (1990).

Foreign Polypeptide Transgenes and Agronomic Transgenes.

With transgenic plants according to the present invention, a foreignprotein can be produced in commercial quantities. Thus, techniques forthe selection and propagation of transformed plants, which are wellunderstood in the art, yield a plurality of transgenic plants which areharvested in a conventional manner, and a foreign polypeptide then canbe extracted from a tissue of interest or from total biomass. Proteinextraction from plant biomass can be accomplished by known methods whichare discussed, for example, by Heney and Orr, Anal. Biochem., 114:92-6(1981). According to a representative embodiment, the transgenic plantprovided for commercial production of foreign protein is a lettuce plantof the invention. In another embodiment, the biomass of interest is seedand/or fruit.

Likewise, by means of the present invention, agronomic transgenes andother desired added traits can be expressed in transformed plants (andtheir progeny, e.g., produced by breeding methods). More particularly,plants can be genetically engineered to express various phenotypes ofagronomic interest or other desired added traits. Exemplary nucleicacids of interest in this regard conferring a desired added trait(s)include, but are not limited to, those transgenes that confer resistanceto confer resistance to plant pests (e.g., nematode or insect) ordisease (e.g., fungal, bacterial or viral), transgenes that conferherbicide tolerance, transgenes that confer male sterility, andtransgenes that confer or contribute to a value-added trait such asincreased nutrient content (e.g., iron, nitrate), increased sweetness(e.g., by introducing a transgene coding for monellin), modified fattyacid metabolism (for example, by introducing into a plant an antisensesequence directed against stearyl-ACP desaturase to increase stearicacid content of the plant), modified carbohydrate composition (e.g., byintroducing into plants a transgene coding for an enzyme that alters thebranching pattern of starch), modified fruit color (e.g., external fruitcolor and/or fruit flesh), or modified flavor profile of the fruit.

In embodiments, the transgene encodes a non-translated RNA (e.g., RNAi)that is expressed to produce targeted inhibition of gene expression,thereby conferring the desired trait on the plant.

In embodiments, the transgene encodes the machinery used for geneediting techniques.

Any transgene, including those exemplified above, can be introduced intothe lettuce plants of the invention through a variety of meansincluding, but not limited to, transformation (e.g., genetic engineeringtechniques), conventional breeding, and introgression methods tointroduce the transgene into other genetic backgrounds.

Methods for Plant Transformation.

Numerous methods for plant transformation have been developed, includingbiological and physical plant transformation protocols. See, forexample, Miki, et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA intoPlants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glickand Thompson Eds., CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, pp. 67-88 (1993). Inaddition, expression vectors and in vitro culture methods for plant cellor tissue transformation and regeneration of plants are available. See,for example, Gruber, et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation” inMethods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick and ThompsonEds., CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, pp. 89-119 (1993). Commonly usedplant transformation methods include agrobacterium-mediatedtransformation and direct transgene transfer methods (e.g.,microprojectile-mediated transformation, sonication, liposome orspheroplast fusion, and electroporation of protoplasts or whole cells).

Following transformation of plant target tissues, expression ofselectable marker transgenes (e.g., as described above) allows forpreferential selection of transformed cells, tissues and/or plants,using regeneration and selection methods now well known in the art.

The foregoing methods for transformation are typically used to produce atransgenic lettuce line. The transgenic lettuce line can then be crossedwith another (non-transgenic or transgenic) line in order to produce anew transgenic lettuce line. Alternatively, a transgene that has beenengineered into a particular plant using transformation techniques canbe introduced into another plant or line using traditional breeding(e.g., backcrossing) techniques that are well known in the plantbreeding arts. For example, a backcrossing approach can be used to movean engineered transgene from a public, non-elite inbred line into anelite inbred line, or from an inbred line containing a foreign transgenein its genome into an inbred line or lines which do not contain thattransgene. As used herein, “crossing” can refer to a simple X by Ycross, or the process of backcrossing, depending on the context.

Locus Conversions.

When the term “lettuce plant” is used in the context of the presentinvention, this term also includes any locus conversions of that plantor variety. The term “locus converted plant” as used herein refers tothose plants that are developed, for example, by backcrossing, genomeediting, genetic transformation and/or mutation, wherein essentially allof the desired morphological and physiological characteristics of avariety are recovered in addition to the one or more loci introducedinto the variety. To illustrate, backcrossing methods can be used withthe present invention to improve or introduce a characteristic into thevariety. The term “backcrossing” as used herein refers to the repeatedcrossing of a hybrid progeny back to the recurrent parent, e.g.,backcrossing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more times to the recurrentparent. The parental plant that contributes the locus/loci for thedesired characteristic(s) is termed the “nonrecurrent” or “donorparent.” This terminology refers to the fact that the nonrecurrentparent is generally used one time in the breeding e.g., backcross)protocol and therefore does not recur. The locus that is transferred canbe a native gene, a mutated native gene (e.g., naturally occurring, bychemical or radiation mutagenesis, or by genome editing) or a transgeneintroduced by genetic engineering techniques into the plant (or ancestorthereof). The parental plant into which the locus/loci from thenonrecurrent parent are transferred is known as the “recurrent” parentas it is used for multiple rounds in the backcrossing protocol. Poehlman& Sleper (1994) and Fehr (1993). In a typical backcross protocol, theoriginal variety of interest (recurrent parent) is crossed to a secondvariety (nonrecurrent parent) that carries the locus/loci of interest tobe transferred. The resulting progeny from this cross are then crossedagain to the recurrent parent and the process is repeated until a plantis obtained wherein essentially all of the desired morphological andphysiological characteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered inthe converted plant in addition to the transferred locus/loci andassociated trait(s) from the nonrecurrent parent.

Genetic Analysis of Lettuce Cultivar Dracos.

The invention further provides a method of determining a geneticcharacteristic of lettuce cultivar Dracos or a progeny thereof, e.g., amethod of determining a genotype of lettuce cultivar Dracos or a progenythereof. In embodiments, the method comprises detecting in the genome ofa Dracos plant, or a progeny plant thereof, at least a firstpolymorphism (e.g., using nucleic acid amplification, nucleic acidsequencing and/or one or more molecular markers). To illustrate, inembodiments, the method comprises obtaining a sample of nucleic acidsfrom the plant and detecting at least a first polymorphism in thenucleic acid sample. Optionally, the method may comprise detecting aplurality of polymorphisms (e.g., two or more, three or more, four ormore, five or more, six or more, eight or more or ten or morepolymorphisms, etc.) in the genome of the plant. In representativeembodiments, the method further comprises storing the results of thestep of detecting the polymorphism(s) on a computer readable medium. Theinvention further provides a computer readable medium produced by such amethod.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

Applicants have made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of lettucecultivar Dracos with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801University Boulevard, Manassas, Va., 20110-2209 U.S.A. under ATCCDeposit No ______ on ______. This deposit of lettuce variety Dracos willbe maintained in the ATCC depository, which is a public depository, fora period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or forthe effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will bereplaced if any of the deposited seed becomes nonviable during thatperiod. Additionally, Applicants have satisfied all the requirements of37 C.F.R. §§ 1.801-1.809, including providing an indication of theviability of the samples. Access to this deposit will be made availableduring the pendency of this application to the Commissioner uponrequest. Upon the issuance of a patent on the variety, the variety willbe irrevocably and without restriction released to the public byproviding access to the deposit of at least 2500 seeds of the varietywith the ATCC. Applicants impose no restrictions on the availability ofthe deposited material from the ATCC; however, Applicants have noauthority to waive any restrictions imposed by law on the transfer ofbiological material or its transportation in commerce. Applicants do notwaive any infringement of its rights granted under this patent or underthe Plant Variety Protection Act (7 USC § 2321 et seq.).

The foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding.However, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications suchas single locus modifications and mutations, somaclonal variants,variant individuals selected from large populations of the plants of theinstant inbred and the like may be practiced within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seed of lettuce cultivar Dracos, arepresentative sample of seed having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNo. ______.
 2. A plant of lettuce cultivar Dracos, a representativesample of seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. ______. 3.A lettuce plant, or a part thereof, having all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the lettuce plant of claim
 2. 4. Aprogeny lettuce plant of the plant of claim 2 that comprises at least50% of the alleles of the plant of claim 2, wherein the progeny lettuceplant comprises wide bottom shape, upright heart shape, and leaves thatthin with low level of blistering.
 5. A seed that produces the plant ofclaim
 4. 6. A plant part of the lettuce plant of claim
 2. 7. The plantpart of claim 6, wherein the plant part is a leaf, pollen, an ovule, ananther, a root, or a cell.
 8. A tissue culture of regenerable cells ofthe plant of claim
 2. 9. A lettuce plant regenerated from the tissueculture of claim 8, wherein said lettuce plant expresses all of thephysiological and morphological characteristics of lettuce cultivarDracos.
 10. A converted lettuce plant produced by introducing a singlelocus conversion into the plant of claim 2, wherein said convertedlettuce plant comprises said single locus conversion and otherwisecomprises all of the physiological and morphological characteristics oflettuce cultivar Dracos.
 11. A processed product from the plant of claim2, wherein the processed product comprises cut, sliced, ground, pureed,dried, canned, jarred, washed, packaged, frozen and/or heated leaves.12. A method of producing lettuce seed, the method comprising crossingthe plant of claim 2 with itself or a second lettuce plant andharvesting the resulting seed.
 13. An F1 lettuce seed produced by themethod of claim
 12. 14. A F1 lettuce plant, or part thereof, produced bygrowing the seed of claim
 13. 15. A doubled haploid plant produced fromthe lettuce plant of claim
 14. 16. A method for producing a seed of alettuce plant derived from the plant of claim 2, the method comprising:(a) crossing a plant of lettuce cultivar Dracos with a second lettuceplant; and (b) allowing seed to form; (c) growing a plant from the seedof step (b) to produce a plant derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos; (d)selfing the plant of step (c) or crossing it to a second lettuce plantto form additional lettuce seed derived from lettuce cultivar Dracos;and (e) optionally repeating steps (c) and (d) one or more times togenerate further derived lettuce seed from lettuce cultivar Dracos,wherein in step (c) a plant is grown from the additional lettuce seed ofstep (d) in place of growing a plant from the seed of step (b).
 17. Aseed produced by the method of claim 16, wherein the seed comprises atleast 50% of the alleles of lettuce cultivar Dracos and is within onebreeding cross of lettuce cultivar Dracos, and wherein the seed producesa lettuce plant that comprises a wide bottom shape, upright heart shape,and leaves that thin with low level of blistering.
 18. A plant, or partthereof, produced by growing the seed of claim
 16. 19. A method ofvegetatively propagating the plant of claim 2, the method comprising:(a) collecting tissue capable of being propagated from a plant oflettuce cultivar Dracos; (b) cultivating the tissue to obtainproliferated shoots; (c) rooting the proliferated shoots to obtainrooted plantlets; and (d) optionally, growing plants from the rootedplantlets.
 20. A lettuce plantlet or plant obtained by the method ofclaim 19, wherein the lettuce plantlet or plant expresses essentiallyall of the physiological and morphological characteristics of lettucecultivar Dracos.
 21. A method of introducing a desired added trait intolettuce cultivar Dracos, the method comprising: (a) crossing the plantof claim 2 with a lettuce plant that comprises a desired added trait toproduce F1 progeny; (b) selecting an F1 progeny that comprises thedesired added trait; (c) crossing the selected F1 progeny with lettucecultivar Dracos to produce backcross progeny; (d) selecting a backcrossprogeny comprising the desired added trait; and (e) optionally repeatingsteps (c) and (d) one or more times to produce a plant derived fromlettuce cultivar Dracos comprising a desired added trait and otherwiseessentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristicsof lettuce cultivar Dracos, wherein in step (c) the selected backcrossprogeny produced in step (d) is used in place of the selected F1 progenyof step (b).
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the desired added traitis male sterility, pest resistance, insect resistance, diseaseresistance, herbicide resistance, or any combination thereof.
 23. Alettuce plant produced by the method of claim 21, wherein the lettuceplant has the desired added trait and otherwise all of the physiologicaland morphological characteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos.
 24. A seedof the plant of claim 23, wherein the seed produces a plant that has thedesired added trait and otherwise all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos.
 25. A seedthat produces the plant of claim
 23. 26. A method of producing a plantof lettuce cultivar Dracos comprising a desired added trait, the methodcomprising introducing a transgene conferring the desired trait into theplant of claim 2, wherein the plant the desired added trait andotherwise comprises all of the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos.
 27. A lettuce plant producedby the method of claim 26, wherein the lettuce plant comprises thedesired added trait and otherwise all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos.
 28. A seed ofthe plant of claim 27, wherein the seed produces a plant that has thedesired added trait and otherwise all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of lettuce cultivar Dracos.
 29. A methodof determining a genotype of lettuce cultivar Dracos, the methodcomprising: (a) obtaining a sample of nucleic acids from the plant ofclaim 2; and (b) detecting a polymorphism in the nucleic acid sample.30. A method of producing a lettuce leaf, the method comprising: (a)growing the lettuce plant according to claim 2 to produce a lettuceleaf; and (b) harvesting the lettuce leaf.
 31. A method of producing alettuce leaf, the method comprising: (a) growing the lettuce plantaccording to claim 23 to produce a lettuce leaf; and (b) harvesting thelettuce leaf.
 32. A method of developing a lettuce line in a lettuceplant breeding program using plant breeding techniques, which includeemploying a lettuce plant, or its parts, as a source of plant breedingmaterial, comprising: (a) obtaining the lettuce plant, or its parts, ofclaim 2 as a source of breeding material; and (b) applying plantbreeding techniques.